Oil burner with steam cleaning means



1949- s. M. JENKINS, JR

OIL BURNER WITH STEAM CLEANING MEANS Filed May 27, 1946 M 1 r K m m J r M- fi L t m, S

on line -5 of Fig. 3.

Patented Aug. 16, 1949 SamuelM. Jenkins,-.Jr., Easttstnl ouis, 111;; as-,

,- 7 wood, .Mo. Gertrude F. 'La LVelle, ,executrix" of said J. Neal La Velle,deceased, assignor of'onethird to Gertrude F. Ha Velle i tApplication May 27, 1945;:S8liifirlN0. 872,522

This invention relates generally to oil burners,

.- and more specifically to oil burners of .the type adapted for use in projecting atomized-oil and accompanying atomized steam into .the fire boxes of furnaces for combustion therein ofthe oil for supplying heat to the-.iu-rnaces, the predominant object of the invention being to provide -.an oil burner of this type which is of relatively simple construction and arrangement and is capable of performing its intended function in .a highly .efiicient manner, and which includes in its-structure-means for blowing out the burner with steam ina simple and-expeditious manner so as to maintain the oil atomizer of the burner in a cleancondition at all times during .use of the burner.

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of the improved .oil burner of the present invention; the conductors which supply oil and-steam to the oil-burner being broken away.

Fig. 2 is an 'enlarged'elevational -view ofqthe for-;;20..sageway |llwhich is of substantiallyless diameter "ward end of the oil burner illustrated inFig.

a Fig. 3 is an enlarged, fragmentary longitudinal section of-the oil-burner shown in- Fig.1, apart-ion of the length or the burner being broken:;away to permit of Fig. 3 being drawn to a larger scale.

I Fig. 4 is a longitudinalsectional view similar to .Fig. 3 but showing the-burner as itappears'when it is being blown out by steam.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary. sectional'viewetaken In the'drawing, wherein isshown :for pu-rposes of illustration, merely, one embodiment of uthe invention, A designates the" improved oil burner generally. The --oil burner Aincludes'an fouter, elongated, cylindrical housing portion l which is provided with aninternally 'screwthleadedrforward wall portion, as is-indicated at ZinFigs. 3 and 4; and is provided'with an externally screw- :t-hr-eaded rearwa-l1--pcrtion,- as'is indicated at 3 in the same views. ---The outer housing portion I is provided wtih a steam inlet element la'into wvhich a steam supply 'pipe'lb-is connected, and

said outer housing portion I has arranged therein a steam atomizer hvhich is in the form of anex- 'ternally, screwthreaded: disk; said disk being screwthreadedly-seated in the rear portion of -the internally :screwthreaded portion-2 of thewall of of spaced steam passageways 6, which preferably,

-.-though not necessarilmy-iare arranged in: circular formations Also;;.thesteam, rM nimizer.v 4.1:.has

' 6 Claims. (cream-59') 2 wformedcentrallyJtherethrough.anopening ,l-whic'h vserves er-purpose to. lie-hereinafter, set .iorth.

,4 .Extendedaiorwardly irom the. forwardend. of stheouterhousing. portion J is .a member '8 which .5 ,constitutes a .part ofyitheteutenhousing oi-lthe burner randincludes an externally screwthreaded .r.ear.iportion 8' .which. screwthreadedly engages "the. internally.screwthreaded forward ..wal1,, ,porition oitheouter housing portion 1', as isishown 1.0 in Figs. and ethereal: .face of said rearportion 8.. of said member .8. abutting against. thesforward lilac-e of thesteamE-atOmiZer it, andithe outer..sur iface at said .member .8 beingv substantiallmflush, longitudinally. oi .the vburner. A, liwithnthe outer 11 5 surface otthe outerhousingportion l .Themem- ,berllhasiormed. therein=a cavity 9.,..which.preferably is. of. circular. .cross.-section,:said cavity -9 beingepen. atutheirear end of said,.member..and TcQmmunicating. at..its .forwardend with .a+pasatha-n lithe cavity 9,= there being a iorwardly and inw-ardly-. -inc1ined wall I I-; at .the junction, ofithe cavity .8 and. thepassageyvay, ,l 0.; as is shown in Bias. .3; and Atits. forward-end the member .8 isprovidedwith amonicalw-seat l-2 which. com- ;munioates; at=its smaller rear end with the afor- -lw-ardoend oiethe passageway .I 0, the. larger-.-ior- ,ward end of; said conical .seatzbeing; open atsthe v.Jforvcardmeznd of said'smember 8.

- eAththe rear, end of the outer housing zportion -l a cap 13 is providedrwhichi closes said rear--end :ofisai-d cuterhousing portion; said cap; including :a:rear;wa-ll Ma. and an annular,internallyscrewthreaded@iiangel 3b. which extends forwardly from s-ai-direarwall and .screwthreadedly:engages the screwthreadedaportion-fl ofs-the outer housing portion l @(see 1"!-igs."3 and'4) The cap I3 is provided with an annular portion Mrswhich extends :forwa-rd-ly from the rear wall l3a ofsaid cap; the

5-40 forward. part of said portion l lihayingaanopen ing- ISaformed-centrally itherethrough --Al'so.,--the eannulan portion M of-thecap-l3 rorme'd therein an annular cavity 15 whose .forward end term-inates-short'-of the: forward end of the (an- =nular-5portion IA; the-rear porti'on of 'said annular .eavity lt-being formed in an, annular; externally -:screwthreaded extensiom 'iil which forms apart ofvthescap |"3- and isiextended rearwardly ofzathe end wall ofsaidcap.

0 Ex'tended vl-ongitudinally ofixthe; portion ofsithe --oihbnrner 'Aproduced by the outer housing portion 'l ianriithe member 8. is atubularaelement i8;-which;serves as a:oonductor through which oil mews toithewforwandzportion of zthe burneri 'z-The a -eanyportioniof -the: -.tubul-ar element 18 extends rearwardly beyond the rear end of the outer housing portion I of the burner, as is shown in Figs. 3 and 4, a suitable fitting I9 being attached to the rear end portion of said tubular element I 8 which serves to connect to said tubular element an oil supply conductor 20. The tubular element I8 is supported in the opening I of the steam atomizer 4 and the opening I5 of the cap I3, and

arranged in the cavity I6 of the cap I3 at the ap and the forward'wall of the cavity I6, while the body of packing material 23 is interposed between the rear edge of the spacing ring and a portion of a nut 24 which embraces the tubular element I8 and is screwthreadedly'mounted on the externally screwthreaded extension I1 of the cap I3.

The wall of the tubular element I8 has formed therethrough a plurality of apertures which are spaced longitudinally and circumferentially of a portion of said tubular element that is located in the cavity 9 of the member 8, and. these apertures 25 provide the tubular element I8 with an oil atomizing portion by which oil is atomized as it passes through said apertures toward the forward end of the burner. The tubular element I8 has mounted at its forward end a head portion 26 which includes a stem portion 2'! which is provided with an extension 28 of reduced diameter thatprojects rearwardly from. the rear end of the stem portion 21. This extension 28 fits closely within the forward portion of the opening through the tubular element I8 with the rear face of the stem portion 21 of the head portion, 26 abutting against the forward edge of said tubular element,

and a tapered pin 29 (Fig. 5) is disposed in alined and appropriately dimensioned and shaped openings formed through the wall of said tubular element and through the extension 28 so as to securely fix the head portion 25 to the tubular element I8. It is to be noted that the stem portion 21 of the head portion'zli is normally disposed in the passageway I ll formed in the forward portion of the member 8, and that the diameter of said stem portion is substantially less than the diameter of said passageway so that an annularspace is provided between the outer surface of the stem portion and the wall of the passageway II) (see Fig. 3).

At the forward end of the stem portion 21 thereof the head portion 26 is provided with a head 30 which is providedwith a rear. conical portion having an annular face whose angularity corresponds with the angularity of the face of the conical seat I2 formed at the forward end of the member 8. Portions of the annular face of the rear conical portion of the head 30 contact closely with the related portions of the annular face of the conical seat I2. and formed between these contacting portions of said faces is a plurality of passageways 3| throughwhich oil and steam may pass from within the burner structure. The passageways 3| are arranged in circular formation, as is shown to good advantage in Fig. 2, and it is important to note that onehalf of each of said passageways 3| is formed in the conical face I2 of the member 8, while the related half of each of said passageways is formed in the annular face of the conical, rear portion of the head 30, the related portions of the various passageways combining to provide passageways which are substantially circular in cross-section that communicate at their rear ends with the passageway I0 within the forward portion of the member 8 and which are open at their outer ends at the forward end of said member 8. The forward portion of the head 30, which preferably is formed integral with the rear conical portion thereof, is tapered as is shown in Figs. 3 and 4.

In order to maintain portions of the conical face of the rear portion of the head 38 in contact with portions of the face of the conical seat I2 of the member 8. a coil spring 32 is arranged about a rear portion of the tubular element I8, said coil spring being interposed under compression between the forward portion of the fitting I9 and a portion of the nut 24, whereby it tends to move the tubular element I8 and the head portion 26 associated therewith rearwardly. Also, to lock the head 30 in position where the face of its rear, conical portion contacts with the face of the conical seat I2, a set screw 33 is provided. The shank portion of this set screw is extended through an opening formed through the wall of the outer housing portion l of the burner and is screwthreadedly seated in a screwthreaded opening formed in the portion I4 of the cap I3, the lower end face of the shank portion of said set screw being caused to frictionally grip a surface portion of the tubular element I8 to obtain the desired locking action.

The tubular element I8 has fixedly mounted thereon 'a piston 34 whose circumferential edge contacts closely with the inner face of the wall of the outer, cylindrical housing portion I, said piston including a hub portion 34 through which a set screw 35 is extended so that its inner end frictionally engages a surface portion of said tubular element for securing said piston with respect to said tubular element. The piston is normally located in a position slightly to the rear of the steam inlet element Ia, as is shown in Fig. 3, so that steam entering the outer housing portion I may pass forwardly thereof. The piston has formed in its rear face a depression 35 which receives the forward face of a finger 31, said finger being slidably mounted in an opening formed in the portion I4 of the cap I3 and being urged forwardly by a coil spring 38. The finger 31 is provided with a shoulder 39 which abuts against a set screw 413 so as to limit outward movement of said finger in response to force exerted thereagainst by the coil spring 38. The function of the finger 31 and the depression 36 is to insure alinement of the portions of the passageways 3! which are formed in the head 39 with the related portions of said passageways which are formed in the conical seat' I2 of the member 8, the depression 36 being so located that when the forward end portion of the finger 31 is seated in said depression the passageway portions referred to are properly related to provide passageways of circular cross-section. The wall of the tubular element I8 has formed therethrough an opening M, as is shown in Figs. 3 and 4, said opening being closed by the spacing ring 2| when said tubular element is in its normal position, as shown in Fig.

3; and serving a function to be hereinafter set forth.

In the operation of the improved oil burner disclosed herein fuel oil is delivered to the tubutures formed through the wall'thereof through which oil passes from the interior of said oil conductor to the interior of said outer housing so as to effect atomization of said oil, mean for supplying oil to said oil conductor, a piston fixedly mounted on said oil conductor whose circumferential edge contacts closely with the inner face of said outer housing and which normally direct steam entering said outer housing toward the discharge end of said outer housing, said oil conductor having an opening formed through the wall thereof at a point adjacent to the location of said piston, and said oil conductor being adapted .to be moved longitudinally of said outer housing to so position said piston that steam discharged 'into said outer housing will be diverted through said opening into the interior of said oil conductor and will pass from the interior. of said oil conductors through the atomizing apertures thereof for cleaning said apertures, means for sealing said opening of said oil conductor when the oil conductor is in its normal position, and spring means for urging said oil conductor to- -ward its normal operative position.

4. An oilburner comprising an outer housing having a discharge end, means associated with said outer housing for discharging steam into the interior thereof, a steam atomizer within said outer housing, a hollow oil conductor supported within said outer housing and extended longitudinally thereof and adapted for movement 1ongitudinally of said outer housing, said oil conductor being provided with a portion having apertures formed through the wall thereof through which oil passes from the interior of said oil conductor to the interior of said outer housing thereof at a point adjacent to the location of said=- piston, and said oil conductor being adapted to be moved longitudinally of said outer housing to so position said piston that steam discharged into said outer housing will be diverted through said opening into the interior of said oil conductor and will pas from the interior of said oil conductors through the atomizing apertures thereof for cleaning said apertures, means for sealing said opening of said oil conductor when the oii conductor is in its normal position, spring means for urging said oil conductor toward its normal operative position, and means for securing said oil conductor in its normal operative position.

5. An oil burner comprising an outer housing having a discharge end, means associated with said outer housing for discharging steam into the interior thereof, a steam atomizer within said outer housing, a hollow oil conductor supported within said outer housing and extended. longi-- tudinally thereof and adapted for movement longitudinally of said outer housing, said oil conductor being provided 'with a portion having apertures formed through the wall thereof through which oil passes fromtheinterior of said oil conductor to the interior ofsaid outer housing s0 as to effect atomization of said oil, means for supplying oil to said oil conductor, a piston fixedly mounted on said oil conductor whose circumferential edge contacts closely with the inner face of said outer housing and which normally directs steam entering" said outer housing toward the discharge end of said outer housing, said oil conductor having an opening formed through the wall thereof'at a point adjacent to the location of said piston, and said oil conductor bein adapted to be moved longitudinally of said outer housing to so position said piston that steam discharged into said outer housing will be diverted through said opening into the interior of said oil conductor and will pass from the interior of said oil conductors through the atomizing apertures thereof for cleaning said apertures, and'means comprising a ringfor sealing said opening of said oil conductor when the oil conductor is in its normal position.

6. An oil burner comprising an outer housing having a discharge end, means associated with said outer housing for discharging team into the interior thereof, a hollow oil conductor supported within said outer housing and extended longitudinally thereof and adapted for movement longitudinally of said outer housing, said oil conductor being provided with a portion having apertures formed through the wall thereof through which oil passe from the interior of said oil conductor to theint'erior 'of said outer housin so as to effect atomization of said oil, means for supplying oil to said oil conductor, and a piston mounted on said 'oil'conductor whose circumferential edge contacts closely with the inner face of said outer housing and which normally directs steam entering said outer housing toward the discharge end of said outer housing, said oil con- REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 703,706 Meyer July 1, 1902 1,003,700 Busch Sept. 19, 1911 1,118,278 Greathead Nov. 24, 1914 1,685,108 Tufiiey Sept. 25, 1928 1,721,477 Spafiord July 16, 1929 2,276,131

Wiant Mar. 10, 1942 

